The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 836

After knowing Jasper for so many years, how could she possibly fail to see right through him?

She spoke softly. “Jasper, I get it. You don’t want to ruin your friendship with Haynes, and The Wilkinson Group still needs The O’Brien Group’s support. But after what happened with Stella, Haynes must be eaten up with guilt where she’s concerned.

You’ve been making trouble for Stella all this time. Haynes is bound to hold it against you.

So if you’re hoping to keep relying on him, I’m afraid that ship has sailed.”

Jasper raked a hand through his hair, recalling how cold Haynes had sounded on the phone yesterday.

“So… what are we supposed to do?”

Rachel leaned in. “If we let Haynes believe our baby is his, he’ll not only make that child his heir—he’ll ensure The O’Brien Group supports The Wilkinson Group, no questions asked.

You and Haynes are best friends. His son is your son, your son is his—it would make your families even closer. Isn’t that perfect?”

Jasper’s face betrayed uncertainty; he was wavering.

Since the dawn of time, nothing has moved men’s hearts like personal gain.

He hesitated. “But… wouldn’t that be unfair to Joshua?”

Rachel’s expression hardened. “Jasper, Haynes was willing to throw away his friendship with you for Stella’s sake. Do you really want Stella to run you into the ground?”

Jasper knew all too well—Haynes’s patience with him had already worn thin.

Now that Haynes realized how much he’d misjudged Stella, he would be riddled with guilt toward her.

If Stella whispered the right things in his ear, Haynes would toss their years of friendship out the window in a heartbeat.

A bitter resentment stirred in Jasper’s chest.

The idea of letting his dear friend raise his child—just thinking about it sent a thrill down his spine.

He made up his mind and looked at Rachel.

“All right, Rachel. What do you need me to do?”

I’ve got a brilliant idea. We can make sure Stella and Haynes never reconcile, and take away one of her strongest allies at the same time…”

But Jasper was in no state to think straight.

He’d gotten blackout drunk last night, remembered nothing, and felt cheated by the lost opportunity.

Tonight, he was determined to make up for it.

He kissed Rachel deeply. “Baby, let’s talk about this later. I’ll do whatever you want.”

Thinking of the humiliation she could bring down on Haynes—making him unwittingly raise another man’s child—Rachel’s heart soared with vengeful delight.

Not only could she flaunt her affair with Haynes’s best friend right under his nose, but she could make him celebrate a child that wasn’t even his.

There was no sweeter revenge in the world.

With that thought, Rachel threw herself into the moment with even more fervor.